We hiked to the Hearst Lodge, deep in the woods of St. Martins. Yes, we hiked -- 2.7 kilometres, along the Big Salmon River. A challenging hike it was, and 4-year-old Aiden hiked 3/4 of the trail. Natalie had Sarah in a backpack and Doug packed Aiden the remainder of the way. What a blessed sight when we saw the Hearst Lodge come into view, made our way toward the log lodge, and the rain started -- a downpour. "Come in, come in out of the rain," the host called. She served us water and coffee -- weary hikers. It was a real accomplishment. We were tired that night! Now we are home, and Heartland Fredericton is growing each day. Pippin and Uncle made an appearance on Sunday and it was a really nice visit. I wished they lived here in the city again. Tonight there are twelve people staying here -- Deb, Doug, Natalie, Aiden, Sarah, Paul, Brenda, Luke, Afton, Ivy, and Granny & Jed. Two RVS and people sleeping in every available space, including the floor. A picnic tonight on our mini-campground with invited guests, Charlotte, Willard, Mason, Becky and Joel, which made 16. A deck-building operation is underway this week, and what a deck it is. Mom & Dad are still not living in their house, but the company promises it this Friday. We'll see. They promised last Friday, but alas, other projects seem to be taking precedence. What happened to a man's word, anyway? We have quite a daycare operation happening here as well, along with Cousin C and her children next door. It's like the Old Woman and the Shoe Explosion. A woman like me keeps very busy looking after all her little children. Tomorrow I am 53. I can't believe it. But I am happy and blessed to still be alive -- that God would grant me many many more years to live on this blessed earth.

We are having a retreat in St Martins. been here since Monday and it is beautiful..having a nice rest. We even have rest time every afternoon. Natalie and the kids in the RV and me and Doug I our recliners outside. Mom and Dad are holding down the fort while the finishing touches are done on their new home. soon, Granny, and you will be in your new home in Heartland Fredericton. tomorrow we hope to go for a hike with the kids in backpacks. I wonder how that will go? "I wanna a snack, I want down, I want a drink, I want!". keeping children sure makes one weary. Next week we get a couple of Jon's kids to keep, too!

Welcome, Home!

We had a week without children. Sometimes we forgot about them. Natalie lived in a wedding bubble, as she did all things wedding related. And what a beautiful wedding it 'twas at Killarney Lake Lodge on Sunday. A wedding with tears, as Becky married the man God prepared for her -- Joell Gallant. Natalie's best friend from the time they were toddlers. A new chapter in their lives. Doug and I took a flying trip on Monday to PEI to pick up Aiden and Sarah from Nanny & Grampie DuBois. Since we also had been up late at the wedding dance, we struggled to stay awake, taking turns driving, although Doug drove the most. It was a sweet reunion to see Natalie greet her kids and have Sarah snuggle into her Mommy's embrace. Today is the big day -- Granny & Jed's house arrives today. It is now on its way from Sussex. 10 o'clock is the arrival time. It's like we are arriving for a big baby to make its entry onto our property. I'm sure I'll take a photo or two of this momentous occasion in our family's history. Granny & Jed -- are you excited??

Took a two day trip to Prince Edward Island. How beautiful -- I had forgotten how pretty the island is. We left Aiden and Sarah with Nat's parents-in-law. It's strange being here in Fredericton without children. Natalie is busy doing 'wedding week' for Becky's wedding. We're so excited for our Becky, a second daughter. Sunday is the big day for Becky Horsman to marry Joell Gallant! Heartland Fredericton is shaping up quite nicely and we are all still living in trailers and houses here on our land. Granny & Jed are doing well, considering they are living in a small trailer. Their new house is due to come next Wednesday -- exciting! Condolences to Cousin Els, who lost her mother unexpectedly last week. Her mother has 88 great years here on this earth, and now she sees her Saviour.

Campobello Island

Just got back from a week at Edith Lank Christian Camp in beautiful Campobello Island. Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow, we parked our 'Big Rig' among the flowers, LA LA LA LA LA LA Alicia with her Volks Van and four children, me and Natalie in the big rig with her two children, Doris in a cabin, and that made 10 people in our little tribe at Mothers Camp. What a chore feeding everyone breakfast in the big rig (our RV). Fun and games, and lots of mess and laughs and fun and a few temper tantrums, even sickness. Many mothers, grandmothers and their children -- a bigger camp than last year, probably about 50 campers and staff at least. I taught twice a day and played all day.

Here are some pics:

Good-Bye and Welcome Home

Sitting here in our campground here at 105 Claremont. Mom & Dad are settled in their trailer, Doug and I in our motorhome, Natalie, Aiden & Sarah and Brenda in our house. Now we are all together. We have made a campground courtyard of sorts, complete with swings, easy chairs, and mini lights strung on the big storage trailer housing Mom & Dad's furniture. Even a beautiful garden to boot. A swimming pool for the kids and a badminton net -- what more could you ask for? And a canoe on Doug's 4WD, should we want to haul it over and go for a canoe ride on the St. John. All is calm, and now waiting for their house to close next Wednesday. A smooth transition so far. I had a little cry this morning in my old bedroom as I said good-bye to our family house of 50 years. Granny & Jed are doing OK so far. Next week, the construction guys will be here to prepare the land for the new house to arrive a week later.

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful (5 Piano Guys, 1 piano) - ThePi...

What a busy summer! Whew! And so hot...we came home from St Martins last Thursday and have been working at Mom & Dad's house ever since. The Southshore Sister made her way up from the southshore, and we have been purging stuff from Jed's shed, moving furniture (we call ourselves 'Wallace the Mover'), driving to the dump, to the town of 'Debris,' which is part of the landfill plantation. At least that's what the guy in the booth tells us where to go -- "Go to Debris." OK, sir, we'll go to Debris. I drive that trailer up the mountains of garbage til I get to the sign that shows where Debris is. Getting familiar with the village of Debris, we are. Going there in the morning, too. It is so hot and we are weary. And not finished yet. It will take us all week long, until we have Jed & Granny safely transported up to Heartland Fredericton. They will live in their Puma trailer until their new house arrives at the end of the month. Natalie & kids come on Wednesday from Manitoba. They will also live here. And the Southshore Sister is living in our bedroom. We are in the motorhome in the yard. I have a feeling we will have a family reunion here this summer. LOL

We are now in St Martins with our motorhome, enjoying some much needed rest, after two weeks of work -- me in Bristol at Camp S and Doug in Nova Scotia and Freddytown working on projects in the evening for people, and his day job. I had a great time at camp and a wonderful time with the staff during the week of staff training, and of course with 52 seven to nine year olds and 54 five to six year olds. so cute.... I also had some interesting encounters with birds and rodents while there, which I will post about at length soon. The rodent issue is still in progress, whilst the bird love affair has ceased for the time being. More later. We just finished a great campfire, and Doug is snoring. Nite

Hello Mudda, Hello Fudda, Here I am at Camp Shiktehawker, It is raining It won't stoppa, Say hello to my little brudder (not that I have one, it just rhymes)... Well, I've been here at camp since Saturday. It's been raining since I got here, and it doesn't show signs of stopping until Friday. I feel like a duck. The staff are starting to grow webbed feet. Swimming around the campground is almost an option or a skill activity. Today I fell down at the Dollar Store, the steps were so wet. I'm OK, Mom. Afton, a.k.a. 'River,' now, helped me up. It's been a great time at camp so far. I have kept very busy, what with talking to the staff each day and wandering around the campground, in and out of my RV for food and sleep, and occasional reading (plus preparation to teach, of course). I've had Jon's junkbox car to drive (an old Volkswagen Golf, which should be in the junkpile somewhere, but it does drive somewhat...) It doesn't like first gear, so I've had quite a time jaunting about the village of Bristol, trying to find alternative ways to avoid a stop sign, like starting out in second gear or find places to do a u-turn in second gear, or take long, round-about ways to get somewhere. Sunday night I took a trip up the road clear to Bath before I could make a circle back to Bristol. I was a woman alone at twilight, in a 45 hp put-put junkbox that Jon calls a car, no wallet, no license, and I wasn't sure I even had headlights or not. Reminded me of our earlier days when Doug and I always had some kind of junky car. Those were the good old days -- I felt young again. I eventually made it back to the campground, where I spent the whole night by myself -- a random woman in a random RV in a rainy campground in the woods. Jon and the staff were on an overnight trip to another random camp -- a survivor kind of thing. I survived the night and fired up the trash can and made it out in second gear. Joined the campers and spewed words of wisdom to them, and spent time there by the rushing brook. I then decided I needed another adventure, so I made it out of the woods and managed to make my way to Coldstream (wherever that is), and visited the Pirate for about an hour to catch up. The Pirate looks the same and always has a tale or two to tell. He was heavily involved in his chipping operation, so I left him to that, and took off across the bridge and up the Rockland Road to Hartland, where I descended upon the graveyard store, and surprised The Undertaker with a surprise visit from his crazy cousin. He supplied me with a refreshing Coca-Cola in a styrofoam cup. I asked for a glass bottle, but that's all he could afford at this time. I hope he stocks up on glass bottles for my next visit. We sat in his office and caught up on life. I like The Undertaker. I spent a lot of time with him in my younger years. He still looks the same, although some of his hair is gone. This afternoon, I asked River if she wanted to go to Coldstream with me (yes, again), to get my hair cut by the Pirate's wife. We got as far as Egypt Hill Road, and it was raining cats and dogs, so we decided to turn back and go to the Dollar Store for office supplies. That is where I fell down, AND where I was finally able, after two days of driving, to get that car in first gear. It's hit or miss, and you have to hold your mouth a certain way. I spent all afternoon in the camp office, working on the computer, editing a massive word document for the camp. Good thing I used to be a secretary (among other things). Well, I must go to chapel -- music is happening, and then I'm involved in a girls' night here -- it will no doubt go late, as we talk about all things girls. I'm the oldest (of course). Toodles. Deb at Camp Shiktehawk

The Promise

The PROMISE Tonight I saw a rainbow kissing the clouds Wrapped around the wandering moon Your promise that hope abounds, A future that starts none too soon O Father of lights, you do not change Your faithfulness projected in the heavens And as I view your handiwork I feel no reason to fear My thoughts tell a tale Like the heavens above Ever changing yet remaining the same You are loving toward all you have made Shine your glory on me, Lord Shine your glory May I be your servant forever Showing forth your promise That I will live ever after I worship you, God of sun and moon and stars Of earth and sky, of water and fire May your name be glorified And above else -- BE PRAISED! PRAISE HIM FOR HIS PROMISE PRAISE HIM FOR HIS GRACE PRAISE HIM FOR HIS ABUNDANT MERCY PRAISE HIM FOR HIS LOVE ...Deb MacDonald, 2009 (after I finished cancer treatment) The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made (Psalm 145:13) Isaiah 60:1 Rise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. PS: I found this while looking for my 'notes' on some other topic...

Fish, Fishing, Fisher of Men

Do you see the fish app to the right of your screen? Just put your cursor on it and tap -- you will see the fish eat it. Feed them somewhere else on that screen and they will scoot over and eat that, too. So fun! It is fishing season -- do you like to fish? I used to, but never liked putting on the worms. Had Jed do that for me. He loves to fish. Hope to get him fishing in St. Martins again at Century Farm, if we ever get there! Hope to be there in three weeks for a week. Depends on Jed & Granny's house situation. We hope to have a done deal on their house in a week, after much negotiation this week with the buyers. Then, it will be moving day by July 25th! Eek! I am leaving in an RV tomorrow and won't be back again in Superior City until July 7th or so, although Doug will be here working at his day job. I'll be a fisher of men (and little children) at Camp Shiktehawk. Appreciate your prayers. It's finally raining -- what a beautiful rain I hear outside my upstairs window, as I sit here like John Boy Walton writing in my composition computer. I feel like fishing. I am looking on my computer for some notes I taught a few years ago at staff training. Do you think I can find them? No. I know I typed them on a computer, but which one? I have a computer in my office, a computer downstairs on the desk in the music room, a computer sitting in a chair in the living room, an IPod, an IPad, a Kobo and a cell phone. Have I got way too much technology? Yes. Can I do anything about it right now? No. I just need to find my notes. Where are they??? Can anyone out there help me? LOL Fishing in Fredericton....

This week I have been cleaning up my office. What a chore. And trying to get my annual return done for Nomad Ministries. Do you ever find yourself stalling when you know you need to accomplish something that has a deadline attached to it? My deadline is June 30th, but I need it done by Friday, because we'll be heading out in the RV for two weeks at Camp Shiktehawk, and then a week at St. Martins. OK, I must go do it! JUST DO IT, DEB, JUST DO IT. Life -- JUST DO IT

LA PETITE RETREAT

Mrs. Mac's Music Night 2012

Birthday Weekend

Doug's mother turned 85 on Friday the 15th. A big surprise party at Frank's Finer Diner. And she was surprised...amazing that no one slipped and told her. Then, on Sunday, my mother (Granny) turned ? Maybe she doesn't want her age revealed. I'll just let the pictures tell the story...Happy Birthday, Mom...

Well, I've gone five hundred miles til the day is done.... Or something like that. Over 600 kilometres since Tuesday morning til today. Here is my road trip schedule: Tuesday - to Saint John on Route 7: Meeting with record producer, Tim Davidson about CD recording project Nurse Cherry's house overnight, ice cream sundaes and bonfire of sorts on the deck with Shelly, Allan and Cherry Wednesday -- to Moncton: Cherry and I traveled to Swiss Chalet to meet with Jennifer from noon til 3 pm, then over to Second Cup for another 4 hours, where Kim Bond joined us. Back to Saint John in evening. Then phone conversation with Almira for an hour. Thursday -- we went back towards Moncton, to Norton. Picked up Angie Murf (a kidnapping of sorts), and drove to Riverbank Cemetery, where there was an small antique church on a hill amidst the gravestones. Mallory from Sussex joined us, and we had a La Petite Retreat -- four of us. We prayed, sang and read from Joshua, then had lunch out on the deck of this old church. I even performed a little drama about a circle maker. I felt like a young girl in a theatre production. Isn't it great when we can just be ourselves? A wonderful morning together. A great little meeting place tucked in the hill of Riverbank. Said my goodbyes about 1:30 today, and proceeded on towards Apohaqui, a stop at McCreadys Restaurant for a coffee, and then the old road towards Fredericton, and up through Sheffield and Maugerville to Heartland Fredericton, where I had a nice little nap on the verandah til Doug came home and I tried to share all that has happened in these three days. Then the gathering of 16 friends tonight. Our life is so rich and full. We are blessed. PS: Pray for Nurse Cherry as she heads for her Guatemalan adventure this coming Sunday!

Road Trip

I had an amazing recital last night at Corbett Avenue Wesleyan Church. I had over 30 students this year (lost count at some point). There were probably 150 people there last night for this music extravanganza. Piano, guitar, singing, drama, even musical theatre. Ryan Legere, a previous student of mine, played an amazing rendition of "Majesty" that made his ol' teacher cry. I bowed before him and kissed his hand at the end. So amazing when a student surpasses the teacher. I taught Ryan for 11 years. And he almost quit! So many cute students playing and singing...Rodeo was very popular, with cowboy boots and hats. The youngest student was 6 years old and the oldest -- ? They were so cute! I even bought a can of lemonade from Ella Christie after she played "Lemonade Stand." The whole 1 1/2 hours was like this -- very entertaining. And much humour. Of course, I am a ham myself. I try to relax the crowd. One of the parents called me a comedian. LOL All the children were so cool and collected -- hardly anyone made a mistake, and if they did, no big deal. I played a lot of duets with them as well. The guitar players were amazing as well, including Jared Cook, who crooned, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." Will Marshall and I played "Surfin' USA," and of course I had to sing. Nahum Collicott played "Margaritaville" on his guitar, and of course, I had to sing that song, too. These guitar players will eventually get the courage to sing in front of me, and then an audience. It's a process. Family Christie was a hit as were my two adult students, Laura Christie and Ann Hetherington. Very proud of them. Missed Cousin Els, another adult student, who was home recuperating from an operation. I'm sure she would have been a hit, too. So nice to see the older students performing with the younger. Sarah MacLoon and I performed "Down by the Bay" and "Dancing Queen" at the end of the night. I danced -- the Dancing Queen danced, with her Dancing Queen t-shirt. One of my young students told me later, "Mrs. Mac, you can dance!" YES! I knew it all along. Sarah really hammed up the song as I danced... Children are wonderful, and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be in their lives and have them in mine. They truly are my family. Now to celebrate the end of my teaching year, I'm treating myself to a ROAD TRIP, starting this morning. Off to Saint John to meet with a record producer at 2:00 pm, on to Nurse Cherry's for the night. Tomorrow takes me to Moncton to meet with a couple of people, back to Saint John to meet with others. Thursday morning is a mini-retreat with a few girlfriends at a random country church somewhere between Norton and Sussex. Then back home for Thursday night. Let's hit the road, Jack!

MacDonald Fredericton Company